Morrissey

Manchester-born Steven Patrick Morrissey (better known simply as Morrissey) is one of the UK’s most outspoken animal advocates. As the lead singer of The Smiths, he released the iconic album ‘Meat is Murder’ in 1985.

Morrissey was inspired to ditch meat at age 11 by his vegetarian mother, who was also a passionate anti-hunting activist and has never looked back. Now 55, he is still a tireless voice for animals and has been a PETA supporter for over three decades.

In an interview with Rolling Stone he states that “Violence is built very solidly into our society, and it is nowhere more apparent than the despair of factory farming and the slaughterhouse – both monuments to human selfishness.”

Morrissey’s passion is prone to making the headlines; in 2009 he stormed off the main stage at US music festival Coachella, declaring that the “smell of burning animals” was making him feel sick. He now prohibits the sale of animal products at his concerts. He has also been pelted with sausages while performing.

Most recently, as a “shoutout for the abolition of bullfighting”, Morrissey penned the song ‘A Bullfighter Dies’ for his 2014 album ‘World Peace is None of Your Business’. It describes a matador dying at the hands of the bull.

In honour of his 55th birthday this year, PETA UK decorated the streets of Manchester with ‘clean graffiti’ depicting his classic Smiths album.